Archives for November 14, 2018

‘Including Monday night’s release of quarterback Nathan Peterman, the Bills’ 53-man roster is down to 51 with the team in its bye week. No corresponding roster moves have been announced to fill those spots.’

‘The Bills signed Pryor on Oct. 30 to try and bolster their wide receiver group and the team’s last-ranked offense. Pryor was on the field for 83 percent of the offensive snaps in his first game against the Chicago Bears and had his snap count cut down to 43 percent in the Bills’ win over the New York Jets.’

‘Pryor had just two catches on eight targets for 17 yards in two games. He became the odd man out after Robert Foster had 105 yards receiving in a 41-10 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, a day after the rookie was promoted off the practice squad.’

‘The Bills, at 3-7, have opted for more youth at wide receiver. Rookies Robert Foster and Ray-Ray McCloud both saw some of their most extensive playing time of the season Sunday, partly at the expense of Pryor’s snaps. The Bills also claimed second-year receiver Isaiah McKenzie off waivers last week from the Denver Broncos.’

‘This has been a theme of Pryor’s career since he left Cleveland after the 2016 season, during which he seemingly established himself as a starting-caliber receiver with a 1,000-yard season. Since then, he’s failed to latch onto the Redskins, Jets, and now the Bills. It’s his failure to stick with the Bills that is the most concerning, because the Bills roster is devoid of starting-caliber receivers. Zay Jones leads the team with 392 receiving yards. Next is Kelvin Benjamin with 302 receiving yards. A lot of that has to do with the Bills’ quarterback situation, but the receivers aren’t exactly helping.’

‘The wideout signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Jets in March before suffering from a fractured ankle shortly after. He missed most of the preseason but returned for the start of the regular season, where he was targeted 22 times for 14 receptions, 235 yards and two touchdowns through six games with New York before suffering a groin injury.’

‘During his time in Buffalo, Pryor caught just two passes for 17 yards. All of that production came in the Week 9, 41-9 loss to the Chicago Bears. Last Sunday against the Jets, Pryor was held off the scoresheet against his former employer. He was targeted just three times in the 41-10 win.’

‘Last week, the Bills added youth and speed to the roster at the receiver position in the form of Isaiah McKenzie, who was claimed off waivers last week, and calling up Robert Foster from the practice squad.’

‘“You watch Lorenzo Alexander, to name just one play of his where [it was the] second to last play of the game and he’s from one side of the field to the sideline and trying to make a play. That says a lot about who we are, what we’re trying to do here and the leadership that I appreciate that Lorenzo brings to the table.”’

‘Surrounding Allen with offensive playmakers should also be a focus for the Bills, according to Sobleski. Allowing Allen to disperse the ball to weapons who are able to create plays and make defenders miss would take some of the burden off of the young quarterback’s shoulders. Through 10 games this season, the Bills rank near the bottom of the league in offensive yards per game, averaging 268.6.’